Jubilant Taraba crowd welcomes convicted kidnapper, Wadume, after 4 years in jail  

 

A huge crowd storms the street of Ibbi, a town in Taraba State to celebrate the release from prison of convicted kidnapper, Hamisu Bala, better known as ‘Wadume.

 

 

Wadume gained national recognition after a detachment of the Nigerian Army headed by a Captain, aided his release from the net of a police team that arrested him in his hometown of Ibbi in 2019.

 

Wadume, who was arrested by men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of Inspector-General of Police, in August 2019, was convicted in October 2022 and slammed seven years in prison.

 

But on April 6, he was released from Kuje Prison in Abuja.

 

 

According to Daily Trust, he was said to be received by thousands of people, including youths and women in Ibbi town on arrival.

 

A resident of the town said the town stood at standstill for Wadume, who was described as a philanthropist and local politician before his arrest.

 

He was driven round the town and thereafter proceeded to visit the Chief of Ibbi chiefdom, Alhaji Salihu Danbawuro, at his palace.

 

Wadume told the traditional ruler that he was at the palace to thank the chief and the entire people of his chiefdom.

 

He said throughout his trial, the chief and his subjects stood firmly with him and prayed for his safety and good health while in prison.

 

The chief, Danbawuro, told Wadume that he and his subjects were happy that he was out of prison.